Denise A. Battles has been named the next provost and vice
chancellor for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina
Wilmington. Currently dean of the College of Natural and Health
Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado, Battles will
officially join the university July 16, replacing retiring provost
Cathy Barlow.

"I could not be more pleased to welcome Dr. Battles to UNCW,"
said Chancellor Gary L. Miller. "She has an excellent track record
of strong leadership and effective management in higher education.
Even more importantly, she is a creative problem solver who will
bring new ideas and approaches to our campus, supporting our
ongoing quest for innovation. "

The provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs reports
directly to the chancellor, oversees all academic units of the
university and serves as chief operating officer.

"I am truly excited to become a part of this excellent
university," said Battles. "UNC Wilmington has a strong reputation
for academic quality, which will be maintained and enhanced through
Chancellor Miller's focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and
community partnerships. I look forward to building on the strong
foundation that is here at UNCW and working closely with faculty
and staff to provide our students with an incredible learning
experience."

A professor of geology, Battles spent much of her academic
career at Georgia Southern University, joining the faculty of the
Department of Geology and Geography as an assistant professor in
1990. While moving through the academic ranks to associate
professor and full professor, she also served in numerous
administrative capacities, including assistant dean and associate
dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology. In
2005, she became the first (founding) dean of the College of
Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Northern
Colorado.

Battles has received numerous honors and awards during her
academic career. She served as president of the Council of Colleges
of Arts and Sciences in 2008-09 and, in the 2000-01 academic year,
she served as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow at
Auburn University. She has published extensively, both on her
research areas in geology and on effective leadership and
institutional change in higher education.

She plans to relocate to Wilmington during the summer with her
husband, Michael Mills.

"It's a beautiful city and a very welcoming community," she
said. "It's certainly different from northern Colorado, and we look
forward to exploring the culture and environment of a coastal
community."

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